NEWS RELEASE

Office of Governor Brad Henry
State of Oklahoma
State Capitol – Oklahoma City OK 73105
405-521-2342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 5/28/2008

Gov. Henry Announces Oklahoma Requests Public Assistance for Three Counties

Oklahoma City – Oklahoma has requested that President Bush grant public assistance to Craig, Latimer and Ottawa counties in the aftermath of deadly tornadoes earlier this month, according to Gov. Brad Henry. The White House already has approved individual assistance for the three counties, as well as Pittsburg County.

If approved, the designation would deliver federal funding to assist cities, towns and counties with infrastructure repairs and costs associated with responding to the May 10 storms.

Gov. Henry said the federal assistance is important in helping local officials recover from the devastating tornadoes.

“The storms that damaged so many homes and businesses in Eastern Oklahoma also wreaked havoc on infrastructure, especially in terms of electric cooperatives and debris removal,” said Gov. Henry. “I am optimistic that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will act swiftly and approve our request.”

The storms resulted in at least $4.9 million in infrastructure damage and response costs.